Local News - Issue 253

R.I.P Richard Henyekane

Free State Stars have offered their condolences following the
death of striker Richard Henyekane in a car accident. Henyekane, 31,
passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The former Bafana Bafana
forward, who played in Ea Lla Koto's 1-0 loss at AmaZulu on Saturday, earned
nine international caps, and also represented Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden
Arrows. His brother Joseph Henyekane passed away in December last year at the
age of 30, having also been on the books of Arrows, as well as Mpumalanga Black
Aces and Bidvest Wits. Stars released a statement, which said: "Free State
Stars hereby expresses its heartfelt condolences on the passing away of star
striker Richard Henyekane in the early hours of this morning. Henyekane was
travelling with four other passengers when they were involved in a tragic motor
vehicle accident. He was, unfortunately the only one to lose his life in this
incident. We wish to say to the Henyekane family that they must know that we
are with them at all times, and trust that they will put all their sorrows in
the hands of God the Almighty in this hard period. To the Stars family of fans,
sponsors, supporters and others we believe that this is a period in which you
will remain steadfast in the praying for Henyekane’s teammates as they come to
terms with this sad moment. South African football has lost yet another one of
our promising players... go well ’Kimberley Express’".

Kaizer Chiefs
dominated for most of the match, but still crashed to a 2-0 defeat to Raja
Casablanca as their CAF Champions League dreams went up in smoke. Having
dominated but lost the first leg at FNB Stadium 1-0 a fortnight ago, it was
much of the same in North Africa as Amakhosi wasted chance after chance, only
for Raja to score twice late on through Osaguona. Stuart Baxter had made four
changes to the side from that first leg, with Itumeleng Khune, Morgan Gould,
George Lebese and Matthew Rusike coming into the side. Chiefs crashed out 3-0
on aggregate, meaning South Africa will have no representitives in the
Champions League second round after Mamelodi Sundowns were also eliminated
earlier in the day.

Sundowns were knocked
out of the Champions League following a 3-2 aggregate defeat to DR Congo giants
TP Mazembe. The Brazilians won the first leg in Tshwane 1-0, but a 3-1
defeat in Lubumbashi meant there would be no extended African campaign for
Pitso Mosimane’s men. Teko Modise and Mzikayise Mashaba were the only changes
to the side that won the first leg.

Eric Tinkler had
nothing but praise for his Orlando Pirates ‘soldiers’ following their 2-2 CAF
Confederations Cup draw against URA in Kampala. The Buccaneers won 4-3 on
aggregate after a 2-1 win in the first leg, and will now face Gabon’s CF
Mounana in the second round. Upon arrival at OR Tambo, Tinkler had nothing but
praise for his players in difficult conditions. “I was very impressed and, like
I said, they were soldiers out there. The pitch wasn't great; in fact it was
difficult and didn’t suit our style of play. But the players adapted well and
what was important was to come away with the result, which we achieved.”

Ajax Cape Town
attacking midfielder Erwin Isaacs says his good form for the team is down to
experience and his familiarity with coach Roger de Sa. The former Santos
player scored against Platinum Stars on Saturday night as the Urban Warriors
went down 2-1. "Ja, first I wanna thank God for that performance and
guiding me through the game for 90 minutes," Isaacs said. "[The
reason for my good form is] because by Santos I used to play under coach Roger
[de Sa] and he give me the freedom and that, but the style of Ajax, I fit in
nice, so for me it's just to work hard and to score goals." The
28-year-old, who has scored three goals this season, is one of the more senior
players at Ajax and enjoyed the responsibility against Stars. Ja, that is my
experience because experience counts. Now you playing with youngsters now you
must push them, motivate them," he added. "Like first half, second
half, if you don't take your chances, I told them, they gonna punish us. Like
now if we had to score that chance, we win 2-1, now we must defend defend they
get a chance they score, they punish us."

It has been reported
that the reason Tefu Mashamaite has not signed a new contract with Kaizer
Chiefs has nothing to do with the length of his contract, but money. According
to initial reports, Mashamaite rejected Chiefs’ initial offer because he was
given a one-year extension. “No, the one-year extension story is not true. The
player has been offered a two-year deal with an option for another year, so he
is happy with that. But the one thing that they haven’t sorted out yet is the
money issue,” a source has revealed. “Once they have an agreement in terms of
the figures then the player will sign. He is more than willing to stay at
Chiefs, but remember he is an important player for the club and his salary must
be in line with that. I hear the club’s
management had a meeting yesterday and it is only a matter of time before they
get back to his agent [Jazzman Mahlakgane] to finalise it,” he added. The
30-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of June.

Struggling First Division club Garankuwa United have snapped
up former Orlando Pirates defender Felix Mwamba-Musasa as they desperately try
to avoid relegation.The 32-year-old, famous for playing with
wedding gloves during his time at Pirates, has signed a deal until the end of
the season along with ex-Ajax Cape Town and Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Sici
Shelembe. Mwamba-Musasa – who is of Congolese descent – last played in the
professional ranks for Mpumalanga Black Aces almost three years ago and had
gone into semi-retirement before being brought back by the Tshwane-based club. Meanwhile,
Garankuwa have also confirmed that they are still waiting for the issuing of
their new Zambian coach Patrick Milaso’s work-permit. Milaso was brought in
almost two months ago but is yet to sit on the bench, with Gabriel Ngondwane
continuing as caretaker coach.

Swedish second
division side Gais have confirmed the signing of South Africa’s U-20 midfielder
Pule Maraisane on a one-year deal with an option for another year. The
20-year-old, who was developed at the Stars of Africa academy which also
groomed the likes of May Mahlangu and Tokelo Rantie, was recommended to Gais by
former Helsingborgs coach Bo Nilsson. Maraisane was part of the Amajita squad
that participated in the African Youth Championship in Senegal last month, and
was previously on the books of Portuguese side Tourizenze FC. Gais sports
director Jonas Lunden is confident Maraisane will make his mark. “We have seen
the videos of Pule in three matches and we are confident that he will be a
great asset for us,” Lunden said.

Bafana Bafana have
been drawn against Mauritius in the 2016 African Nations Championships
qualifiers. The finals will take place in Rwanda next year, with South
Africa having hosted the last instalment, which was won by Libya. Bafana coach
Shakes Mashaba insists that Bafana will have to be at their best to progress. “We
must prepare well; no team can be treated lightly anymore, that is how football
has evolved,” he said. Only players based in their country are able to
represent their nation at Chan.

2016 CHAN (COSAFA)
DRAW

Zimbabwe v Comoros

Lesotho v Botswana

Namibia v Zambia

Mozambique v Seychelles

South Africa v Mauritius

Swaziland v Angola

Nyasha Mushekwi has officially signed for Swedish club
Djurgardens. The Zimbabwean striker has been on trial at the club
since February 25, and has now penned a short-term loan deal until the end of
the season in August. “Everything is ready. The contract has been signed by
both parties. We are now waiting on the South African Football Association to
approve the transition,” Djurgardens sporting director Bosse Andersson said.
Mushekwi has said he is hoping to win a long-term contract. “It's been
fantastic. It's different from what I'm used to, but in a great way. I talk to
everyone in the team and everyone takes care of me well. Even the food here is
good. It's just the weather that is a little cold, but I have heard that it
gets better,” he said. “I hope there will be more. In the end it is not me who
decides but I will love to stay here. It is my desire, I will do my best to
make it so… I hope to help the team, that's my main goal,” he added. Mushekwi
last played for Sundowns in the 2012/13 season and spent last campaign on loan
at Belgian side KV Oostende.

SA players abroad
round-up: Ayanda Patosi got the better of Andile Jali, Dean Furman's promotion
hopes took strain, while Kamohelo Mokotjo endured a tough day in the office in
European action on the weekend.

AYANDA PATOSI & ANDILE JALI

Patosi laid on both goals for Lokeren as they defeated
Jali's KV Oostende 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League playoffs. Patosi came off late
on.

DEAN FURMAN

Furman skipped international duty to remain fresh for
Doncaster Rovers’ crucial League One tie with Bradford City, but they lost 3-0
to likely end their hopes of promotion.

KAMOHELO MOKOTJO

Mokotjo started for FC Twente as they were humbled 5-0 by
PSV Eindhoven, though the home side were holding some players back for
Tuesday’s Dutch Cup semi-final against PEC Zwolle.

KEAGHAN AND KYLE JACOBS, BURTON O’BRIEN

All played for Livingston as they picked up some silverware
with a 4-0 victory in the Scottish Challenge Cup Final over Alloa Athletic.

BONGANI KHUMALO

Started for third-tier Colchester United as they won 2-1 at
Port Vale to boost their survival hopes.

ANELE NGCONGCA

Ngcongca played for Genk as they won 1-0 at home to
Zulte-Waregem to get their UEFA Europa League playoff campaign off to a
positive start

AYANDA NKILI

Came on late as Orebro got their Swedish League season underway
with a 1-1 draw with Norrkoping.

STEVEN PIENAAR

Was on the bench for Everton’s 1-0 home win over
Southampton, the first time he has appeared in the match day for The Toffees
since their loss to the same opposition in late December.

THULANI SERERO

Started for Ajax Amsterdam in their 1-1 draw with Utrecht.

TIYISELANI SHIPALANE

Scored in the season-opening 3-1 win for USA second-tier
side Carolina Railhawks over Ottawa Fury.

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